12/22/10 - Union News
Master Contract Out for Ratification
Our Union Assembly is pleased to present our first Collective Bargaining Agreement (also referred to as “master contract”) to the membership and the bargaining unit. This tentative agreement is the result of many months of careful thought and negotiation between GAO management and the union’s elected bargaining committee. We believe that it is an excellent agreement which, when ratified, will provide many benefits for bargaining unit employees. The full Assembly has reviewed the tentative agreement and joins the bargaining committee in recommending that the membership ratify it.
The negotiation for our agreement was done as it was being developed, like it is for similar agreements. The bargaining committee has represented us and our interests tirelessly over many months of negotiation. Bargaining committee members feel that the process was very positive and collaborative, and that the resulting agreement represents a real step forward in labor-management relations at GAO. We need to understand that we can no longer make substantive changes, though we will work with GAO management on correcting technical errors in the tentative agreement. We can review it for fatal flaws, but the vote is to ratify the agreement as it stands. Individuals may find details with which they are not entirely pleased, but if we do not ratify, we will have no agreement at all. However, we encourage you to identify important issues for our leadership to address in future negotiations. Our union leadership believes in this agreement and recommends that we ratify.
There is a lot to digest in the agreement, and we are providing informational brown bag sessions through the voting period, to help members of the bargaining unit educate themselves about its provisions. In addition, you can find more information, including answers to some “frequently asked questions,” on our Collective Bargaining Agreement page. All dues-paying members of the union are eligible to vote, until January 10. If you are a member of the bargaining unit—that is, an analyst or specialist serving as a Band I, Band II, or PDP—but have not yet joined the union, this would be a great time to make the decision to join and be part of ratifying this agreement.
Last Chance for New Monitor Today
The survey of members’ preferences for alternate monitor configurations closes today, Wednesday December 22. Most members of the bargaining unit have responded already, but anyone who does not respond today will retain their current monitor configuration. If you have not expressed your preference yet, please check your inbox for the Monitor Preference survey, and make your decision.
We are also aware that certain cubicle and office layouts may encounter difficulties with the new monitor layouts. We are working with management to help develop options that address these issues. If you have concerns about how your new configuration might fit, please contact us, and we will make sure that your concerns are heard.
Transit Benefit Increase Extended
The increased cap for transit benefits for federal employees has been extended for another year, allowing for a maximum of $230/month. GAO previously distributed transit benefit checks to employees in some locations based on the assumption that the maximum transist benefit would be reduced to $120 a month starting in January 2011. GAO employees who received monthly transit benefit checks for $120 and who have transit benefit costs greater than $120 a month, should contact their administrative officer at their location for instructions on how to purchase January transit media. We have asked GAO management to send out a notice addressing this issue. If you have any issues or concerns, please contact Dan Meyer, Vice President for Field Operations or your local representative.
Compensation Agreements Ratified
Earlier this month, we announced that two compensation agreements were overwhelmingly ratified by the membership (see December 6, 2010 newsletter). The Agreement on Annual Pay Adjustments as ratified with 97% voting ‘Yes’ and 3% voting ‘No.’ The PBC Agreement for Certain Employees was ratified with 91% voting ‘Yes’ and 9% voting ‘No.’
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